a softer side

Way back when, in the days of shooting film, getting prints back from the lab was always a little like Christmas morning. I couldn’t wait to tear into each bag and sift through the stack of photographs. Its one of the many parts of the process of film (pun intended) that I really miss. Inadvertently, from every roll, there were at least a few shots that were totally out of focus. Working with children can do that to even the keenest of auto focus capabilities. And add to the equation low light which in turn can make for a slower shutter speed and you’ve got the set up for some blurry shots. But, it’s not the blur from motion of which I speak, I’m talking about just plain old out of focusness. The semi-technical term for something that isn’t quite sharp enough is soft. And when a shot is supposed to be in sharp focus (like maybe a traditional headshot for instance) and its soft, it’s usually edited out, which I can understand.

But, what about those images that don’t have to be (or even aren’t suppose to be) in sharp focus to translate as successful? Before even giving it a chance, I think many people might blurt out, ‘out of focus’ as they toss the photo aside. Maybe it’s because sometimes these are captured on accident. Maybe it’s because soft isn’t suppose to be good, at least in some circles.

When the delicate perfection of a soft image speaks to me (for reasons that aren’t always easy to explain or even justify to non-believers) I covet them. Yes, and show them to my clients and even boast of their beauty—beckoning them to believe—to see and appreciate the mystery and magic that these kinds of images hold.

I subscribe to the belief that a good shot is a good shot, now matter who captures it. I have said it a million times over. I also believe that a good shot is a good shot, even if it is out of focus. Not every soft photo works, but when it does, there’s nothing like it. Just gaze on the beauty that these images by aspence61 and Kate C. celebrate. It’s undeniable.

Are you a believer? Do you celebrate your own images even if they might not follow the rules? Have you secretly coveted a shot of all-over out of focusness? Do you even dare to do it on purpose? Share a thought or image with us won’t you, and tell us how you see it?

Comments

[kosenrufu mama]

yes the pourpose was the out of focus, just to have a soft, warm, magic, waiting atmosphere ...
http://esterdaphne.blogspot.com/2008/12/notte-scura-di-luce.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23206424@N07/3127360237/

[Lee]

What an interesting perspective! I have to agree that I miss collecting my film developed photos, it was always a delightful (or sometimes disappointing) surprise. No doubt I had soft focus photos, but they've long since been tossed away as being "less than". Maybe it's time for a new outlook.

[Puna]

Wow, it seems like you read my mind Tracey. I seem to have a lot of unfocused shots:) but thanks for putting a wonderful "glass half full" perspective on it. This is my out of focus post for today.

http://lifesignatures.wordpress.com/2009/01/06/ghost-skier/

[Marcie]

Perfectly said. I'm not a big one for rules..and I do think that oftentimes softer speaks clearer than sharp:
http://bravo.unisonplatform.com/~marciesc/index.php?showimage=647

[Jen]

I love how this photo turned out. I was looking through a lit christmas tree to the sunset.

http://americana.visualblogging.com/archives/11454_1807447140/318636

[cindy k]

i really want to embrace the softness in my photos. i think it gives them warmth. my brother and i discuss this all the time because as much as we love it in other people's photos, we always want sharp images. i'm such a new photographer and i hope to find the softness, and be comfortable with it, by the end of this year. i also received a 35mm film camera for christmas, so i'm sure i'll have many of the photos you mentioned. so far, this is the closest i've gotten
http://flickr.com/photos/71443419@N00/3153948390/

[ELK]

Tracey thank you for sharing your ideas and thoughts here along with wonderful images...

the other redhead at home by the pool:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sammymom/2761029460

[June]

My latest favorite is also a wee bit out of focus, but the moment it captured is priceless.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/junedel/3173923696/

[Mod Girl]

My husband is quick to judge if a photo is "crisp enough"... I, on the other hand, am much less discriminating. Sometimes a moment captured is TOO PRECIOUS to toss away simply because it is soft....

for example:
http://modobjectathome.blogspot.com/2008/09/chocate-puddin.html

[Jess]

http://fifthlampdown.blogspot.com/2009/01/soft.html
I got these shots yesterday of the melting ice

[Robin]

I definitely don't follow the rules, other photographers try to tell me what i'm doing wrong and while i appreciate the advice i really don't want to think about it too much. this means i have less control but it's one of the few things in my life i can let just be what it is.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hismuse/3163828769/

[Kelly]

This photo came from my first wedding shoot. It was blurred beyond belief, but I've never been able to get it out of my head. This is the image that taught me that the beauty of romance is discovered in mystery.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8702729@N02/3174021148/

[marty]

Sometimes the softness of an image captured sparks a favorite memory in my mind...one that is soft and a little blurred around the edges from time...soft and worn like the binding of an old, well loved book...this image did that for me...slightly out of focus...dreamy
http://www.flickr.com/photos/martyhadding/3148245244/in/set-72157604583435188/

[Marcie Vargas]

The shots that most people would discard are my favorite! Here's a recent example I took on New Year's Eve, not one single shot is in focus, the light was terrible (I am so opposed to flash) but these pics are some of my favorite:
http://www.marcievargas.com/2009/01/happy-new-year.html

[Artie]

I was just going through pictures yesterday, and here is one I just couldn't get rid of. It was taken by my daughter a few months ago, when she was still 6. While there are obvious imperfections, there's something about it I just like. Glad to know I'm not the only one who can sometimes appreciate a soft image!

http://tranafamily.blogspot.com/2009/01/softer-side-shutter-sisters.html

[Gayle]

Being new to photography, my tendency is to view my soft images as not good enough. This is strange because I can see the beauty in other photographers' soft images. I took a series of photos of my daughter on her 13th birthday and most came out nicely focused, but this soft image is one of my favorites:

http://planetmfiles.com/2009/01/06/comptemplating-thirteen/

[Katy]

http://flickr.com/photos/29536663@N04/2881468276/

This was my experiment back in September to catch the light off the water, and people on the beach without just taking the picture.

[renee @ FIMBY]

I have actually taken shots recently, on purpose, that are not in focus. This is a new thing for me as I mostly love really sharp shots but sometimes soft is just... better.

Here's a blurry image of my brother and niece. It's not soft, as in out of focus, but has a bit of motion blur I had not intended. But the blur evokes an emotion that a sharp focus would not.
http://fimby.tougas.net/N-snuggles-Daddy?size=_original

[Joelle]

Sometimes the softness really adds something special to the photo. My family shakes their heads and says - "but it's not in focus" - but I see it differently. Here's one that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside - it's my 2-1/2 year old daughter laying on my lap.

http://flickr.com/photos/jsliedtke/3020328427/in/set-72157604915691831/

[busymomma66]

Gorgeous photo Tracey! I tend to edit them out (I hear my mother in my head saying "It's blurry??") but I have started to start to look at them and use them. I'm drawn to them and love them when others do them, but when I do them I usually tend to think I messed up. Now I'll look at my own a bit "softer".

[Sarah - Ji]

oh my gosh, tracey, this image is absolutely PERFECT. i can't even put it into words...it just gets me right *here* in my mommy heart. i love the tones as well.

[Kate C.]

I totally agree with you, Tracy. A soft focus can be every bit as important as sharp focus in creating mood and feeling in a picture. I like to evaluate each shot for the story it tells - "technical rightness" is not always a part of that - sometimes a little softness is just what is needed. Your picture above is a GREAT example.

[Amy]

oh tracey:) this speaks to me right now.... I remember opening those photos from the lab and loving the out of focus ones, my hubs would say "well you can toss those!"...I never did, I agree sometimes the blur is necessary. Great post!

[Stacy]

I took a shot this weekend that was out of focus but I still loved the look of it. Sadly I haven't uploaded it yet...but just sayin' I totally get where you are coming from here. :)

[Lu]

I have been having a love affair with blur for a while now. Your example above is so inspiring. I can not wait to take my own to another level.

[Charlane]

in a world of too sharp corners where we are banging our shins and frowning, a softer side is often appreciated and loved.

[trupeach]

there are two in particular i've kept, both of my husband. they are very blurred, but soft, and give me a dream feeling whenever i see them.
with birthday cake:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13818098@N00/419272570/in/set-72157605203008779/
out to dinner:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13818098@N00/2435989351/in/set-72157605203008779/

[Kristin]

Sometimes things don't have to be perfect for a picture to be what you want it to be. I've taken some with the white balance accidentally set wrong and got blurred pictures that still say what i want them to. It's the artistic ability to see something in it, even if it isn't perfect.

[Lori]

Last year I was playing around with the light in my kitchen and taking some self portraits. When I saw them all on my computer screen this is the one that stuck out to me. http://www.redbubble.com/mybubble/art/1488428-1-sludge-of-depression/edit It so aptly captured the way I felt as I struggled through some serious depression.

[maya | springtree road]

my favorite, favorite accidental/soft focus shot - my girl on the swings last spring:

http://flickr.com/photos/springtreeroad/2573547614/

[Julie Marie]

Yes... sometimes life is better seen a bit... out of focus !

[Kyla]

What a great photo and a wonderful perspective! I have to admit that I'm one of those people who delete the majority of my blurry (soft) shots. Here's one that I hadn't got around to deleting yet . . . and I don't believe I'm going to! I'll start looking a little closer at these shots from now on, and maybe I'll even find a little magic in some of them to hold on to. Thanks so much for the inspiration!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thekreativelife/3174244692/?addedcomment=1#comment72157612240593710

[thezanyone]

i once interviewed an artist who lost 90% of her sight in an accident. when i asked her how she managed to make art, she said something which has stayed with me all these years: "sometimes, it is better not to see too clearly."

[claudia]

One evening at the lake this past summer this shot happened accidentally. Thanks for reminding me of it, now I'm loving it all over again.
http://flickr.com/photos/laurohunt/2804659738/in/photostream/

[Jodyangel]

Here are a few I uploaded just now to flickr. I wouldn't have even thought they were worth posting until I read your post this am. And you're soo right! Life is in the details. Even the soft blurry ones =)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jodyangel/3174319164/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jodyangel/3173420343/in/photostream/

[Sandra]

I was taking pictures of my son jumping around on his bed the other day, with the intent of taking blurry shots. I wanted to convey a feeling, a certain mood with the light shining through the window and his movements, rather than have razor sharp images. Here are the results.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/artfullife/3164600002/

[Toni]

I, coincidentally, posted a soft focus image this morning of my favorite subject, my dog, Buddy:
http://dailyvignette.wordpress.com/2009/01/06/my-buddy-boy/

For Christmas I intentionally did an out of focus shot of a lighted Christmas tree for some star-shaped bokeh:
http://dailyvignette.wordpress.com/2008/12/24/sleep-well-little-children/

Both images were taken with my Lensbaby.

[Jennifer]

I love fuzzy, blurry, happy pictures. So many times I get attached to a photograph for more reasons than just what it looks like. I am more attracted to the colors, the texture, or the how the photo makes me feel. You don't always have to see it clearly to feel it.

http://flickr.com/photos/veridianblue/2975862943/

[Anita]

Thanks for this post Tracey. As I edit my first wedding shoot...I have been struggling with this very issue...thank you for the freedom to accept the beauty I see in the less than perfect images and the confidence to convince the bride and groom of their beauty as well.

[spread your wings]

i keep a lot of out of focus shots. I very, very rarely use the flash so I have a lot of soft images - but I don't mind - it still captures the moment.
this is an old one that i revisited lately
http://spreadingwings08.blogspot.com/2008/12/this-is-my-wish.html

[kath]

mine is here
http://3yrplan.typepad.com/soeursdujour/2008/12/zoom-zoom.html
we were talking about photos that became happy accidents!

[gonzomama]

i am believer. it's a method i have been messing around with on occasion too. i even started a set on my flickr, mishaps worth keeping, because i liked some of the out of focus shots i wasn't intentionally taking. it's just another way of looking at things.

http://flickr.com/photos/59735955@N00/3032132275/in/set-72157608792192439/
http://flickr.com/photos/59735955@N00/3022100505/in/set-72157608792192439/
http://flickr.com/photos/59735955@N00/3015689189/in/set-72157608792192439/
http://flickr.com/photos/59735955@N00/3041747769/in/set-72157608792192439/

[Sandra]

I completely agree and have been taking soft photos on purpose lately :) Sometimes the soft photos just tell a better version of the story..... The one included in this post is just perfect!


http://www.flickr.com/photos/myinspiredheart/2460753321/in/set-72157603751474911/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/myinspiredheart/3166496279/

[leaca]

embrace the blur
http://simplyblogged.wordpress.com/2009/01/06/embracing-the-blur/

[Julie Alvarez]

Here, by accident and liking it:
http://flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/2946416408/
Here, on purpose, and liking them!:
http://flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3064129890/
http://flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3118888284/

[Bridge]

http://flickr.com/photos/ridethewavesoflife/2290419172/
This one totally!

[Secret Agent Mama / Mishelle Lane]

Yes, embracing the blur is something I do often. Today, my 365 shot is blurry. And I love it!

[Robyn]

When I read this, I immediately thought of the photo posted here: http://robynsart.blogspot.com/2008/12/on-my-birthday.html my thoughts are listed in that blog entry...

[Alexandra]

To me soft is dreamy, whimsical, almost otherworldly. A couple of old (only because I haven't renewed my flickr account), unintentionally soft images of mine:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sillyspheres/2115547674/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sillyspheres/2115547582/
sort of soft: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sillyspheres/2114757093/

[shelli]

I didn't do this on purpose, but I love how it turned out.

http://web.me.com/pabis/Mama_of_Letters/Blog/Entries/2008/11/12_Sweetness_2.html